Helmet Shield

ABSTRACT

A shield for a lacrosse helmet, wherein the shield includes a shield structure having a shield front, a shield rear, a shield top, a shield bottom and shield sides, wherein the shield structure includes a mounting structure located proximate the shield bottom, wherein the mounting structure is configured to securely associate the shield structure with a front top portion of the lacrosse helmet, and wherein the shield structure is arcuate in shape between the shield sides to conform to the front top portion of the lacrosse helmet, and wherein the lacrosse helmet shield further includes an impact absorbent material associated with the shield rear to be located between the shield rear and the front top portion of the lacrosse helmet when the helmet shield is associated with the lacrosse helmet.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/278,009 filed Jan. 13, 2016and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/428,293 filed Nov.30, 2016, the contents of both of which are incorporated by referenceherein in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an impact absorbing shieldand more particularly to an impact absorbing shield for a Lacrossehelmet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lacrosse is a well known sport that originated with Native Americans andthat is quickly growing in popularity. It involves a multitude ofplayers that carry a long stick having a basket on the far end of thestick, where the basket is configured to carry a heavy ball which isabout the size of a baseball. The game is played by two teams on a fieldapproximately the size of a soccer field, where each team has a goallocated on opposite ends of the field. The object of the game is tocarry the ball down the field in the basket and using the stick “toss”the ball into the opposing team's goal which is manned and blocked by agoal keeper or “goalie.” The ball can only be touched by the basket andcannot be touched directly by the players. As the players move the balldownfield, the members of the opposing team try to get the ball awayfrom the player carrying the ball by knocking the ball out of theplayer's basket. This is done by swinging the stick at the stick and/orbasket of the player carrying the ball in an attempt to hit the stickand/or basket and knocking the ball out. The player carrying the ballwill try to hang onto the ball and typically passes the ball toteammates as they move downfield.

As balls are passed between players and as sticks are being swung in anattempt to knock the ball out of the player's basket, other players aresometimes hit by either the ball or the stick. Additionally, as playerstoss the ball into the goal, sometimes the goalie is hit by the ball. Inan attempt to reduce injuries and to protect the players, the playerstypically (goalies are required) to wear safety gear which includes animpact resistant helmet having a cage covering the face of the playerand/or goalie. Thus, if the player is hit in the head by either the ballor the stick, the player is somewhat protected. Unfortunately, both thesticks and the ball are very hard items and they are usually swung ortossed with a lot of force. In fact, even with the helmet it is possiblethat a player may still be injured by a strike to the head. This isundesirable because this type of strike may cause a concussion or otherhead injury. Moreover, it is now known that multiple head injuries mayhave cumulative deleterious effects on the brain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A helmet shield is provided and includes a shield structure having ashield front, a shield rear and shield sides, wherein the shieldstructure is configured to be securely associated with a front topportion of a helmet, and wherein the shield structure is arcuate inshape between the shield sides to conform to the front top portion ofthe helmet, and wherein the helmet shield further includes an impactresistant material securely associated with the shield rear to belocated between the shield rear and the front top portion of the helmetwhen the helmet shield is associated with the helmet.

A shield for a lacrosse helmet, wherein the shield includes a shieldstructure having a shield front, a shield rear, a shield top, a shieldbottom and shield sides, wherein the shield structure includes amounting structure located proximate the shield bottom, wherein themounting structure is configured to securely associate the shieldstructure with a front top portion of the lacrosse helmet, and whereinthe shield structure is arcuate in shape between the shield sides toconform to the front top portion of the lacrosse helmet, and wherein thelacrosse helmet shield further includes an impact absorbent materialassociated with the shield rear to be located between the shield rearand the front top portion of the lacrosse helmet when the helmet shieldis associated with the lacrosse helmet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present inventionwill be more fully understood from the following detailed description ofillustrative embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which like elements are numbered alike:

FIG. 1 is a bottom up front perspective view of a helmet shield, inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom up rear perspective view of the helmet shield of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the helmet shield of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a bottom up rear perspective view of the helmet shield of FIG.1, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a front side view of a lacrosse helmet for use with the helmetshield of FIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a front side view of the lacrosse helmet of FIG. 5 with thehelmet shield of FIG. 1 attached.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the helmet shield of FIG. 1 attached to alacrosse helmet, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a helmet shield attached to a lacrosse helmet,in accordance with another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a helmet shield attached to a lacrosse helmet,in accordance with still yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a helmet shield attached to a lacrosse helmet,in accordance with still yet another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, an impact absorbing shield fora helmet is provided and discussed herein with regards to a lacrossehelmet. It should be appreciated that although the helmet shield of thepresent invention is discussed in terms of a lacrosse helmet, it iscontemplated that the helmet shield may be used with any type of helmetsuitable to the desired end purpose.

Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a helmet shield 100 isshown in accordance with one embodiment and includes a shield structure102 having a shield front surface 104, a shield rear surface 106, ashield top 108, a shield bottom 110, shield sides 112 and a shieldstructure edge 114 which surrounds the shield structure 102. The shieldstructure 102 includes a shield width W, which is measured between theshield sides 112 at its widest point, and a shield height H, which ismeasured between the shield top 108 and shield bottom 110 at its highestpoint. Referring again to FIG. 3, in one embodiment the shield width Wis about 9 inches wide and the shield height H is about 5 inches highand the shield side surface 112 between the shield sides 112 is arcuate(crescent) in shape. The shield structure 102 also includes an impactresistant pad 116 constructed from a foam material which is located onthe shield rear surface 106, wherein the impact resistant pad 116 issecurely attached to the shield rear surface 106. It should beappreciated that in other embodiments, the shield width W and/or theshield height H may be any size desired suitable to the desired endpurpose.

It should be appreciated that the shield structure 102 is configured andshaped to conform and mount to the forehead area of a lacrosse helmet118. As such, the shield structure 102 is concave in shape and theshield bottom 110 is shaped to follow the contour of the top surface ofthe lacrosse helmet 118. The shield structure 102 may include one ormore mounting openings 120 located proximate the shield bottom 110 whichtraverse the thickness of the shield structure 102 and which areconfigured to receive and contain a mounting screw for securelyattaching the helmet shield 100 to the lacrosse helmet 118.

Referring again to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 a typical lacrosse helmet 118 isshown, wherein the lacrosse helmet 118 includes a helmet face opening122, a helmet face cage 124 covering the helmet face opening 122 and ahelmet mounting opening 126 located proximate the front top portion 128of the lacrosse helmet 118. The helmet mounting opening 126 isconfigured to receive and contain a mounting screw 130 which is used tosecure a portion of the helmet face cage 124 to the lacrosse helmet 118.Referring to FIG. 6, a typical lacrosse helmet 118 is shown with thehelmet shield 100 attached. The helmet shield 100 may be associated withthe lacrosse helmet 118 by positioning the helmet shield 100 proximatethe front top portion 128 of the lacrosse helmet 118 such that theimpact resistant pad 116 is adjacent to and in contact with the surfaceof the lacrosse helmet 118 and the one or more mounting openings 120 arealigned with the helmet mounting opening 126. As such, the shield bottom110 is located directly above the helmet face opening 122. The mountingscrew 130 is positioned to be located within the one or more mountingopenings 120 and is configured to securely attach the helmet face cage124 and helmet shield 100 to the lacrosse helmet 118. Referring to FIG.7, it should be appreciated that when the helmet shield 100 is mountedto the lacrosse helmet 118, the helmet shield 100 is disposed at anangle β relative to an imaginary horizontal plane Z, wherein the angle βis approximately about 45°. It is contemplated that the angle β mayrange from about 10° to about 75°.

Referring to FIG. 8, a lacrosse helmet 118 having a helmet shield 200 isshown in accordance with another embodiment. In this embodiment, thehelmet shield 200 is configured such that contact with the stick and/orbasket of another player will not allow the stick and/or basket of theother player to “catch” onto or get caught under the helmet shield 200.The helmet shield 200 may include a rear portion 202 (and in some casesa side portion) that is configured to cover and/or enclose and/orprevent the stick and/or basket of the other player from going under thehelmet shield 200. In this embodiment, if the stick and/or basket of theother player contacts the rear portion 202 of the helmet shield 200, thestick and/or basket of the other player will be deflected off of thehelmet shield 200. As such, the impact of the stick and/or baskethitting the helmet shield 200 will be greatly reduced than if the stickand/or basket were allowed to ‘catch’ under the helmet shield 200. Thiswill reduce the likelihood of head and/or neck injuries to the player.

Referring to FIG. 9, a lacrosse helmet 118 having a helmet shield 300 isshown in accordance with still yet another embodiment. In thisembodiment, the helmet shield 300 includes a rear portion 302 that hasan arcuate or ‘rounded’ portion to allow the stick and/or basket ofanother player to be deflected upon impact. As above, thisadvantageously prevents the stick and/or basket from becoming “caught”under and/or from engaging the underside of the helmet shield 300. Asabove, this will reduce the likelihood of head and/or neck injuries tothe player.

Referring to FIG. 10, a lacrosse helmet 118 having a helmet shield 400is shown in accordance with still yet another embodiment. In thisembodiment, the helmet shield 400 includes a rear portion 402 thatextends to the back portion 404 of the lacrosse helmet 110. As above,this advantageously prevents the stick and/or basket from becoming“caught” under and/or from engaging the underside of the helmet shield400. As above, this will reduce the likelihood of head and/or neckinjuries to the player. It should also be appreciated that the helmetshield 100, 200, 300, 400 may be configured as an add-on or “retrofit”appliance and/or the helmet shield 100, 200, 300, 400 may be integratedinto the design and/or material of the helmet 118. Additionally, thecharacteristics of the helmet shield 100, 200, 300, 400 may beincorporated into other locations of the helmet shield 100, 200, 300,400. For example, the side portion and/or the front portion of thehelmet shield 100, 200, 300, 400 may be configured similar to the rearportion 202, 302, 402 of the helmet shield 100, 200, 300, 400 to preventthe stick and/or basket from becoming “caught” under and/or fromengaging the underside of the helmet shield 100, 200, 300, 400.

Additionally, in still yet another embodiment, it is contemplated thatthe helmet shield 100, 200, 300, 400 may be resiliently associated withthe helmet 118 such that the helmet shield 100, 200, 300, 400 may moveinward/downward/upward/sideward to ‘absorb’ part of the shock of theimpact along with deflecting the shock of impact. As such, in oneembodiment the helmet shield 100, 200, 300, 400 may be associated withthe lacrosse helmet 118 via a spring member. In another embodiment, thehelmet shield 100, 200, 300, 400 may be constructed from a material(and/or designed) that is configured to bend and/or temporarily andelastically deform. As such, it is contemplated that the helmet shield100, 200, 300, 400 may be designed to be energy deflective (i.e.deflects the impact energy from the stick and/or basket) and/or to beenergy absorptive (i.e. absorbs the impact energy from the stick and/orbasket).

It should be appreciated that in one embodiment, the foam material (orother impact resistant material) which is located on the shield rearsurface of the helmet shield 100, 200, 300, 400 may be 1.3# EPE Foamabout ½″ thick with a Net Bond PSA on one side. It is contemplated thatthe impact resistant material may be of any thickness suitable to thedesired end result. Additionally, the helmet shield 100, 200, 300, 400may be at least partially constructed from a Lexan Polycarbonate thatmay be about ⅛″ thick. Essentially, the helmet shield 100, 200, 300, 400and its components may be constructed from any material and/orcombination of materials and may be of any thickness suitable to thedesired end purpose, such as plastic, metal, composites, etc. It shouldbe appreciated that the helmet shield 100, 200, 300, 400 may be attachedto the lacrosse helmet 118 via any method or device suitable to thedesired end purpose, such as screws, clips, snaps, hook and loopfasteners (Velcro®) and/or adhesive. Additionally, it is contemplatedthat the helmet shield 100, 200, 300, 400 may be used with any helmet asdesired.

It should be appreciated that while the invention has been describedwith reference to an exemplary embodiment, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that some or all of the elements of theembodiments disclosed herein may be combined in whole or in part andthat various changes, omissions and/or additions may be made andequivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the invention without departing from the scope thereof.Moreover, it is contemplated that elements of one embodiment may becombined with elements of other embodiments as desired. Therefore, it isintended that the invention not be limited to a particular embodimentdisclosed herein as the best mode contemplated for carrying out thisinvention, but that the invention will include all embodiments(individually and/or combined) falling within the scope of the appendedclaims and/or information. Moreover, unless specifically stated any useof the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance,but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish oneelement from another.

We claim:
 1. A helmet shield, comprising: a shield structure having ashield front, a shield rear and shield sides, wherein the shieldstructure is configured to be securely associated with a front topportion of a helmet, and wherein the shield structure is arcuate inshape between the shield sides to conform to the front top portion ofthe helmet, and wherein the helmet shield further includes an impactresistant material securely associated with the shield rear to belocated between the shield rear and the front top portion of the helmetwhen the helmet shield is associated with the helmet.
 2. The helmetshield of claim 1, wherein when the shield structure is securelyassociated with the helmet, the shield structure is configured to at anangle β.
 3. The helmet shield of claim 2, wherein the angle β is about45 degrees.
 4. The helmet shield of claim 2, wherein the angle β isbetween about 10 degrees and 75 degrees.
 5. The helmet shield of claim1, wherein the impact resistant material is about ½ inch thick.
 6. Thehelmet shield of claim 1, wherein the shield structure is constructedfrom at least one of a plastic material, a composite material and/or anycombination thereof.
 7. The helmet shield of claim 1, wherein the shieldstructure is configured to be securely associated with the helmet via atleast one of a screw, snap, clip and/or Velcro®.
 8. The helmet shield ofclaim 1, wherein the impact resistant material is constructed from afoam material.
 9. The helmet shield of claim 1, wherein when the helmetshield is associated with the helmet, the helmet shield is sized tocover the front top portion of the helmet from temple to temple.
 10. Ashield for a lacrosse helmet, comprising: a shield structure having ashield front, a shield rear, a shield top, a shield bottom and shieldsides, wherein the shield structure includes a mounting structurelocated proximate the shield bottom, wherein the mounting structure isconfigured to securely associate the shield structure with a front topportion of the lacrosse helmet, and wherein the shield structure isarcuate in shape between the shield sides to conform to the front topportion of the lacrosse helmet, and wherein the lacrosse helmet shieldfurther includes an impact absorbent material associated with the shieldrear to be located between the shield rear and the front top portion ofthe lacrosse helmet when the helmet shield is associated with thelacrosse helmet.
 11. The shield of claim 10, wherein when the shieldstructure is securely associated with the lacrosse helmet, the shieldstructure is configured to at an angle β.
 12. The shield of claim 11,wherein the angle β is about 45 degrees.
 13. The shield of claim 11,wherein the angle β is between about 10 degrees and 75 degrees.
 14. Theshield of claim 10, wherein the impact absorbent material is about ½inch thick.
 15. The shield of claim 10, wherein the shield structure isconstructed from at least one of a plastic material, a compositematerial and/or any combination thereof.
 16. The shield of claim 10,wherein the shield structure is configured to be securely associatedwith the helmet via at least one of a screw, snap, clip and/or Velcro®.17. The shield of claim 10, wherein the impact absorbent material is atleast partially constructed from a foam material.
 18. The shield ofclaim 10, wherein when the shield is associated with the lacrossehelmet, the shield is sized to cover the front top portion of thelacrosse helmet from temple to temple.